“We’ve only got tonight, babe

To show them what we mean

So come into the light, hun

And dance the night with me

We’ll dance around the bonfire

We’ll raise our hands up high

We’ll scream and laugh to our hearts desire

We’ll dance until we cry

‘Cause sunrise is the close, my sweet

I won’t be by your side

Like petals on a wilted rose

My life will then subside.”

Minoru shot up in bed, eyes darting around. She found herself in a familiar room, with familiar walls and familiar belongings. Her dorm room, her bed, her clothes. A dream… it was just a strange, strange dream. Walking out into the rec room, still wearing her pyjamas, Minoru sat down in front of her television.

What had happened yesterday? She had slumped into a dead sleep after work and then woken up. She had then gone to the supermarket to buy the groceries for her dorm room. But… what happened after that? Surely, the strange turn of events after she had eaten had all been some sort of dream. Maybe her food was laced with something….

Sighing, Minoru stood up and walked to her dorm room. Being that the convention with the parents was still happening, Minoru had another free day. Being a Monday, Minoru found this proposition most promising. As she sat down on her bed, being quiet as her roommates were still asleep, she could not help but noticed a slip of paper with elegant, running script on it. Peering in, she read it. There was an address on it, and a time: 8:00 AM. Confused, Minoru looked at the clock on the wall:

7:10 AM

Slowly, the message, the time and the strange events that had happened yesterday dawned on Minoru. With a horrifying gasp, Minoru rushed to the closet to get changed. She had an appointment to get to.

A Symphony of the Heart

Volume 5: When Life Blocks Your Path…

Minoru slumped against a pole as she breathed a sigh of exhaustion. After getting changed in less than five minutes, a world-record even for her, Minoru had run across the lawn and to the bus stop to catch the bus to the Upper District, the suburb stated in the note. Now exhausted, Minoru took some time to catch her breath.

As she stood in the bus, she reflected on yesterday, the events coming back to her…

In Seiichi’s car, Minoru was feeling uneasy. She was in the car with a complete stranger and had no idea where she was going. If that was ever the time to think of “Stranger Danger”, then that was the right time. The only thing she knew about him was his name, he had a fiancée, and the car wasn’t exactly his. Seiichi, however, did not detect her uneasiness as he lay back in the car, relaxing as the car cruised to the “Business District”, wherever that was. He hadn’t been specific in that sense.

“So,” began Seiichi, causing Minoru to turn to him. “Minoru, right?”

Minoru looked to him, wondering how someone could be so personal to a stranger. He was already calling her by her first name. “H – hai…” said Minoru uneasily.

“What exactly do you do?”

“Well… I work as a waitress…”

Seiichi nodded, looking genuinely interested. “Where?”

“Why do you need to know?”

Seiichi shrugged. “Well, I’ve been meaning to go to commoner cafes…”

“Co-commoner?”

Seiichi merely gave a handsome grin. Minoru blinked a few times, trying to figure the guy out, but deciding it was near impossible to do that with a stranger, turned away to look out the window. Why was she even here?

“What about you?” she asked, trying to feel the silence between them.

“Me? I’m a model,” he said nonchalantly, turning to Minoru with an unassuming glance.

“Really? Must be interesting,” replied Minoru, smiling at the young man.

“Nah, not really. It’s easy work. Especially for one such as me.”

Minoru looked sceptical. “Are you always this egocentric?”

“What do you mean?” asked Seiichi, grinning innocently.

Minoru sighed, finding it better not to press the situation. He was so hard to read…

“Oh!” said Seiichi excitedly, interrupting Minoru’s thoughts. “We’re here!” he exclaimed, pressing a button.

Minoru could hear a window opening, though neither hers nor his opened. She then looked up, seeing the blue sky through the roof. This car had a sun roof? Minoru then flinched, her body jerking backwards as Seiichi stood up, his upper torso sticking out of the sun roof. She could not clearly hear what he was saying, but she did notice him waving out towards the house. Seiichi then looked down at Minoru.

“Come up,” he offered.

Minoru shook her head. “I-it’s ok… I’m fine here.” She was really starting to dread the strange turn of events.

As the car came to a halt, Seiichi, who by this time had closed the sun roof, exited through his door, closing it. Minoru stayed inside, breathing a small sigh and trying to push down the gut-wrenching feeling in her stomach. As she reached for the handle, Seiichi had already opened it, bowing low and arm stretched out.

“A-arigatou…” thanked Minoru, stepping out of the car. As she did, however, she looked up, her eyes widening at how… large… the house before her was. “Seh…” uttered Minoru.

“Great, isn’t it?” asked Seiichi. He then walked to the front door, Minoru behind him. However, he then turned left from the front door, confusing Minoru.

“Seh?” asked Minoru, looking at Seiichi’s departing form.

Looking to the door, Minoru blinked dumbly, and then hesitatingly followed Seiichi. They both ended up walking to the back. There, Minoru found herself staring at a double door, slanted against the house. Seiichi, already in front of the door, rapped on it. There was some silence before one door opened with a creak, causing Minoru to tense up. Seiichi smiled down at the person who had opened the door, another man around the same age as him.

“Konnichiwa!” he greeted, patting the other man on the head.

“Yo Seiichi-san,” he greeted back, his eyes and voice youthful and unassuming. He then looked across, blinking twice as he saw Minoru, who by this time looked utterly confused.

“She wants to try out,” Seiichi said simply to the man.

The man nodded once, gave Minoru a brief smile and disappeared from sight. Then, as Seiichi moved backwards, both doors swung open with a big boom. Minoru then saw Seiichi motioning for her to come forward. Swallowing a lump in her throat, Minoru went forward.

Hello, my name is Minoru Wakayabashi. Recently I’ve been going through a rough time, what with my parents restricting my access to my own bank account. Furthermore, I’ve found that a poem of mine had been… misplaced and was now being virally advertised around my school by way of pamphlets. But… I’m trying to keep a brave face and keep my chin up! After all, when life blocks your path, all you can do is climb over it…

Or you could always find another route…

Minoru, now inside, stared in awe at how… large… the place seemed to be. It was almost scary. What emphasised Minoru’s fear was how dark and creepy the place looked. Walking further in, Minoru was surprised to find wires criss-crossing the path. The man who had allowed them entry was further into the large room, sitting down at some strange console. Another two men were sitting down on a couch, one leaning on the other as the other held a portable game console in his hand. As Seiichi approached them, they both looked up, greeting the man in unison with a:

“Konnichiwa Seiichi”

Seiichi bid his hellos to them and then turned to Minoru, motioning for her to come over. Minoru was already wondering if she could quickly bolt out of the place. However, her plans seemed to be thwarted as there was a tug on her back. Minoru yelped in surprise, whirling around and coming face-to-face with the same boy from before.

“Majokko-san!” he exclaimed, looking at her.

“Oh,” exclaimed Seiichi. “You know each other Yukio-san?”

“Un, we met each other twice!” he exclaimed, as if that was an accomplishment.

“Where?” asked Seiichi.

“Sugar Plum and Chocolate Pie! She works there as a waitress.”

Seiichi nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone. He then typed in the café name.

“Neeee,” said one of the two men on the couch, his voice a languorous drawl. “Aki-chan, haven’t we been there?”

“Yep, Kichiro, we have,” replied the other one, his concentration still fixated on the screen before him. He then cursed as a loud boom came from the screen. “Damnit… that was my last life…” He then threw the console behind him, looking up at the girl. “Hey, yeah, Kichi we met her before. She was the one that got our orders.”

“Yeah, didn’t recognise you without your dress,” said the one name Kichiro, tipping an imaginary hat towards Minoru.

“Great!” said Seiichi. “And I know her from shopping!”

“You, shopping?” asked the twins sceptically. “You don’t even know how to tell the difference between whole grain and white bread…”

“FUTAGO!” yelled Seiichi, glaring at the twins, his expression one of insult. Meanwhile, Minoru looked on amused. The one called Yukio then turned to her.

“You’re here to try out, ne?” he asked.

“Ano… I’m not sure if I –“

“Nonsense!” interrupted Seiichi. “You clearly wanted to.” He then turned to the others and said, matter-of-factly: “She has the number on the palm of her hand.”

The others nodded, as if agreeing.

“B – but… having a number doesn’t mean I have to try out.”

“But you had it on you… written in ink… so I shall deduce and assume that you’ve been deliberating for some time.”

Minoru opened her mouth to argue back, though the evidence was there and it was true – she had had the pamphlet for some time and she was thinking about calling the number. Minoru gave a miserable sigh.

“Well, there we go!” affirmed Seiichi. “You’re here to try out.”

“But we can’t just yet,” came a voice from the corner. Everyone turned to the man that had admitted entry into the underground location.

“Why not Norio-kun?” asked Seiichi.

“Kioshi,” he answered simply, shrugging and getting back to whatever task he was doing.

Everyone went silent for some time, Minoru feeling a slight chill from each of them.

“Oh yeah…” began Seiichi, looking sheepish.

“Kioshi-san’s not here yet,” said the twins in unison.

“Don’t worry Majokko-san. We’ll get you comfortable until Kioshi-kun’s here.”

“Seh…” said Minoru, blinking dumbly as the one named Yuki dragged her to a chair and sat her down, himself sitting next to her.

The one named Norio finally stood up, leaving to some unknown place whilst the other three, Seiichi, Kichiro and Aki sat opposite Minoru. Minoru stared at all three of them, feeling slightly awkward. All of them each gave their own handsome grins.

Minoru, surrounded by four young men, felt extremely awkward. Her hands clasped in front of her and remaining silent, she tried to ignore the three men in front of her, who continued to stare. The other young man wasn’t helping as he, too, stared at her from her left.

“So…” began the one named Kichiro, leaning in so that she could see his face, her backing away and sitting up straight. “Is the Plum Pie your only workplace?” he asked, his facial expression betraying no other emotion but the slightest bit of interest.

“Plum Pie?” asked Minoru, looking confused.

“Yeah, Sugar Plum and Chocolate Pie,” said the twins in unison.

“Seh…” began Minoru, looking sidelong. She then nodded, looking embarrassed.

“Don’t be embarrassed!” said Aki loudly.

“Yeah,” said Kichiro, giving a solemn nod.

“You’re doing a public service!” ended both twins.

“P-public service…” said Minoru sceptically, her voice flat.

“Yeah, you serve the rich and wealthy for a trivial amount of money!” joined in Seiichi.

“Trivial?” asked Minoru, looking even more sceptical.

“AND –“ joined the one named Yuki. “– you get to dress like a Majokko!”

Minoru, all out of scepticism, sighed and slumped as the others laughed and cheered with their arms in the air. Through their cheering, Minoru heard a door open in the background. She turned, her eyes wide in surprise as she, came face-to-crotch with a pair of pants attached to a svelte waist. Looking up, she came eye-to-eye with Norio, his expression friendly yet sheepish as he looked down at her. In his hands he held an assortment of sweets: cake, biscuits and candy. He set the tray down, Minoru backing away slightly as he did. He then turned and sat down on the right side of her as the twins reached for the same piece of cake.

“Grrr…” said Aki, glaring at Kichiro. “That’s mine,” he snapped, pulling the plate towards him.

“Tough luck Kuukuu-chan,” teased Kichiro, pulling the plate towards him.

“Urusai Irokichigai!” snapped Aki, pulling it back towards him.

“I saw it first.” Kichiro, once again, pulled it back towards him.

“No, I saw it first.” Aki pulled it back towards himself.

“No I did!”

“Idid!”

“I did!”

“I DID!”

Minoru flinched as they grew louder and louder, pulling the plate between themselves. Though the one named Kichiro did not betray an ounce of emotion, he was pulling quite hard. Aki, however, seemed like the more aggressive one, his teeth bared as he yanked it towards himself in a bid to get the slice of cake. She looked at the plate, realising it to be made from porcelain, and bit her lip. Porcelain was priceless… and expensive. Breaking that china would mean disaster.

“Ano…” began Minoru quietly, but her pathetic plea went unheard as they continued to pull and pull and pull.

Minoru could only watch with her hands over face as, finally, the pull of the twins became too much for the porcelain plate, the cake and the plate flying up and over in the air, soaring through it. In slow motion, Minoru, Norio, Seiichi, Yukio and the twins watched as the plate went soaring, higher and higher into the air, and then falling, faster and faster to the floor. Its descent was stopped, however, as a hand caught the plate as quick as lightning, also catching the cake on it.

“What’re you guys doing?” asked a voice. A familiar voice to Minoru.

Minoru and the rest of the group looked up, seeing a man with glasses holding a large folder, a sceptical look on his face. Meanwhile, holding the plate and dipping his finger into the cream of the cake was another man.

“Neee, Kioshi! You brought along Takumi!”

“No,” said Kioshi, walking past Takumi and towards Seiichi. “Takumi brought me here.”

“Taku-chan! Nice catch!” exclaimed Yukio.

“Arigatou Yukio,” thanked Takumi, giving him a pleasant smile. He then turned to the twins, his expression hidden from Minoru as the twins each gave their own nervous laughs. “Don’t throw around Norio’s china. How many times do I have to tell you?!”

“B-but…” stuttered Aki, whining.

“It’s not like we meant it,” ended Kichiro, his voice less stuttered than Aki’s and more sardonic.

Takumi sighed, sticking his finger in his mouth as he tried the cream. He then turned to Norio with a smile. “Tasty, as always,” he commented.

Norio simply nodded, smiling.

Minoru remained sitting on the chair, thinking her heart could not take anymore strange meetings. Meanwhile, the seven young men talked in a corner, conversing amongst them. Looking at Kioshi, Minoru tried to familiarise herself with his face. She could have sworn she had met him somewhere before…

“Minoru,” called Seiichi

Minoru looked up, seeing as Seiichi signalled her over. Standing up, she walked over, all the while feeling as if she was going to her doom. Seiichi stood in the front, waiting patiently for her to come. A little to the side was Kioshi, his arms crossed as most of his face was obscured from her view. Behind both of them stood the rest of the group, looking… imposing somehow. All their faces held one of seriousness compared to how they were when she had first arrived. Even Kichiro looked somehow more… serious.

“Okay, after much deliberation, we… as in I… have decided that you would be a perfect lyricist for us!” exclaimed Seiichi.

“Ly-ly-ly-ly-lyricist…?” asked Minoru, looking utterly confused.

“Yes, we all agree that you’re quite the fine writer,” agreed Kioshi, giving a mysterious smile.

“Un,” agreed Yukio. “Your skill can be all ours.”

Minoru gave a nervous laugh. “W-well…” she stammered.

“It’s decided then!” affirmed Seiichi, leaning forward with a triumphant look on his face.

“You start tomorrow,” announced Kioshi, the others nodding. “Norio, please get the address from my folder.”

Norio nodded, leaving. When he came back a few minutes later, he walked over to Minoru, handing her the slip of paper. That’s when Minoru noticed how… tall… he was. Hesitatingly, Minoru reached out and grabbed the paper from him. Holding it up, she peered at the running script on its surface.

‘Upper District, North Side…’ thought Minoru, holding the same paper up to her face as she sat in a taxi. The seven had given her ‘transport money’ to get to the district. As she looked out the window, she realised she was getting closer as the houses managed to get… bigger.

“We’re here,” said the taxi driver as he stopped by the curb. He turned to her, giving her a big grin. “So, where’d you score a man with this much dough?”

“S-seh!” stuttered Minoru, riffling through her bag as her face turned a healthy shade of red. “I-it’s not like that!”

The man gave a hearty laugh as he grabbed the money she handed to him. “Have fun darl,” he said as she stepped out. With a tip of his hat he drove off, driving back towards the city.

Minoru sighed. She then looked up, her eyes holding great fear in them as she saw the large house with an even larger lawn going up to it.

“Seh…” she murmured, swallowing back a large lump in her throat. What had she gotten herself into now…?